100,000 Patients Participating In Utah’s Medical Cannabis Program

Last month saw Utah’s medical cannabis program hit a major milestone, and there are more changes on the way for the scheme.

The state’s program commenced in early 2020 after a successful ballot initiative in 2018. Patients verified by a Qualified Medical Provider (QMP) are issued medical cannabis card by the state. Among the qualifying conditions are Alzheimer’s disease,  amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer, cachexia and persistent pain that last for more than two weeks, or acute pain for a condition such as surgery.

While a wide range of medicinal cannabis products are available, smoking cannabis is not permitted, nor are edible products.

According to the April 2025 report concerning the program published by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), just over 100,000 patients have active medical cards; around 3,000 of those having registered in April. . Some other statistics:

• Qualified medical providers (QMP): 993
• Pharmacy agents: 805
• Processor/cultivator agents: 800
• Courier agents: 306
• Pharmacy medical providers: (PMP) 86

The most common qualifying condition under the program, and by a huge margin, is persistent pain; with 85,355 patients. The next is PTSD (6,573), followed by nausea (2,084); with cancer close behind at 2,016 patients. More than 70% of patients are aged 21 – 50.

Total sales of medical cannabis products in April eclipsed US$15 million, bring the cumulative sales since 2020 to more than $580 million.

Among recent and upcoming changes to the program, the DHHS has begun providing information inserts  about products at medical cannabis pharmacies that include dosing information, instructions, side effects, safe storage recommendations, and more. Additionally, processor websites now include product information, such as test results and which pharmacies sell certain products.

From July 1, 2025, pharmacies will post back- panel information from products on their websites, and from January 1 next year, products will include a warning label for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Also from July 1, the medical cannabis patient card fee will be $8.00, down from $15. While the default expiration date for cards is one year, recommending medical providers can choose a shorter expiration date of 6 months or three months for new patients; or others who may require  more frequent follow-ups.

More about Utah’s medical cannabis program can be found here.